Disclaimer: I own the 30 Rock DVD's, but nothing else.

*Thanks so much for the reviews!! They keep me going so please, keep 'em coming! There is a method to my madness though, so, I hope ya got it in ya to stick with me. :) Also sorry, this chap is a bit abrupt and not majorly eventful, will get out more as soon as I get the chance.

The Truth Comes Out

Ch. 11

"What...what did I do.."
"Yeah, Jack. What did you do to her? She's been stable since she was brought in and now her vitals are spiked and she's petrified! All after you visited her? Don't think that's much of a coincidence!"

Pete accused as Jack looked on, struck speechless at how ferocious and bitter the normally level headed man was acting towards him.

"Pete...I..."

"For God's sake Donaghy, just explain yourself!"

"Look, like it or not, I am Liz's emergency contact. I have every right to go in and see her, and I don't need to explain myself to you. I wasn't the reason she was upset just now, when I walked in the room she was already..."

Jack replied but Pete cut him off.

"You know what, it doesn't matter. Just that you stay away from her from here on out. It's bad enough she has to deal with you on a daily basis when she's conscious!"

"Pete listen to me, I know Liz's and my relationship seems complex but you have no right to judge it. You couldn't begin to understand it in the first place."

"Finally something we agree on! You're right Donaghy I don't understand your relationship with Liz, at all. Frankly it's baffled me since the day you met." Pete spat glad to let all his lingering feelings concerning Liz and Jack finally come to the surface.

"I mean, you claim you're friends but, if I didn't know any better I'd swear you hated eachother's guts.

I mean, what kind of friend, constantly belittles and ridicules every choice their friend makes. You pick on Liz for the shoes she wears, the junk she eats, if her hair's got food stuck in it. You mock her about her choice in movies and TV and always ask her what terrible thing happened in her childhood to make her who she is! Well I'll tell you who Elizabeth Lemon is. She's sweet, smart and clever and can make me laugh like nobody else. She does her job effortlessly, even picks up slack for when people slack off and no matter what, gets a show out every Friday. Even if she has to talk Tracy off some bender he's on or convince Jenna that she's the biggest star in the universe to do it. She even holds her own with you!! Until now anyways.

Jack I care for Liz very much. I know I can count on her and she knows the same can be said for me. We laugh and talk and rant and just have fun together. For God's sake she let my wife and I rendezvous for a freaking affair in her apartment when I was bunking there. And she's the only person I'd consider asking to do that. Our friendship's based on respect. How does your's compare to that? The most respect you've shown to her was when you offered that, corporate job to her. Probably just some master plan to make her fit in in the eyes of all those suits you won't even let her eat pizza in front of. Thank God it didn't work 'cause I bet, even if you had turned her into one of those supposed powerwomen you associate with, you'd treat her same as you do all the exes parading in and out of your office! Like gum you just stepped in. And quite frankly, that's the only attitude I've ever seen her get from you."

Stung a bit by Pete's remarks Jack was taken aback but soon regained his composure and cleared his throat knowingly.

"Pete, let me assure you despite what it seems, I care for Liz a great deal."
He said simply but surely.

"Fine, you care about her, do what Spaceman says and stay the hell away."

Pete said expecting Jack to put up a fight or make some snide comment, but instead of the typical condescension and smirking, all he saw was a pained look on his superior's face he'd never ever seen, taking him aback as Jack sighed, turned on his heel and walked off looking small and defeated.

Still in shock of the whole thing, Pete didn't even realize there was an audience, at least til he saw Josh, Toofer and Frank come out of nowhere, clearly updated somewhat on the situation made obvious by the fire in their eyes.

"What happened to her? Why's she critical again!"
Toofer asked getting a shrug from Frank but a knowing look from Josh.

"I bet he's why, who else was just in her room?"
Josh accused as he walked up and got Jack's attention.

"You mess with my friends, ya mess with me!" The young man snarled before throwing a punch that Jack just barely ducked, only to have the fighting Irish in him take over.

"I knew Liz made you do the worm for a reason!" Jack growled, his voice low but his emotions high, and out of defense took hold of Josh's arm and sneered before he shoved him into the wall and stormed off, his blood officially boiling.

Making his way to the parking lot, grateful he'd driven his own car so he could slam doors without being stared at and drive his pent up anger away, he sped back to his loft not caring he was swerving and cutting people off like he was on a NASCAR track. Finally by some miracle Jack parked and made his way to his loft, in such a frenzy he didn't realize his door was unlocked.

Then much to his horror he saw a very unexpected guest standing in his living room, reeking of criticism, condescension, and cigarettes that she'd likely been deprived of on her first class flight from Florida, that he hoped to high heaven was a round trip ticket.

"My God, this day just keeps getting better and better." He spat sarcastically as he made a beeline to the minibar, not giving a damn her judging eyes were burning a hole into his back. He was just too tired to care.